Adjustable Pillow

ABSTRACT

An adjustable pillow comprises an outer wall, an interior cavity having a volume defined by the outer wall, a composition of fill material dispersed about and contained within the interior cavity, and a drawstring for adjusting and fixing the volume of the interior cavity. The drawstring is defined by a base end, a distal end, an interior portion, and an exterior portion. It further comprises a cinching mechanism adjustably affixed to its exterior portion. A user can manipulate the volume of the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow, and, thus, the firmness of the adjustable pillow, by altering the position of the cinching mechanism along the drawstring. The drawstring further comprises a plurality of notations that provide the user with an indication of the firmness of the adjustable pillow at various positions of the cinching mechanism along the drawstring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein relates to a pillow that may be adjusted to varying levels of firmness or softness according to the preferences of a user. The present invention also provides a means for measuring the firmness or softness of the pillow at any given stage of adjustment to allow the user to determine and repeat preferred adjustments for a variety of applications, or to allow multiple users with varying preferences for firmness and softness to use the same pillow.

Pillows are well known in the art, having many applications, including the facilitation of sleep and the provision of support. A traditional pillow typically consists of an enclosed volume with an outer surface defined by a fabric. One or more cushioning materials are dispersed about and contained within the enclosed volume. These materials may include, for example, feathers, cotton, rubber, foam, or polyester. The amount and type of materials included within the enclosure along with the volume of the enclosure determine the firmness or softness of the pillow. The firmness or softness of the pillow, in turn, directly impacts its performance in various applications.

Another factor bearing upon the performance of a pillow is the preferences of its user. Such preferences are largely subjective, as different users may prefer differing levels of firmness or softness in a pillow for the same application. Thus, it is not possible for a single pillow to provide satisfactory performance for multiple users or applications absent some means of adjusting its firmness or softness and maintaining that level of firmness or softness once adjusted.

One solution to this problem is for a user to purchase multiple pillows of varying levels of firmness. This solution is inherently more costly than the use of a single pillow, and may also inject a number of other complicating factors into consideration such as shape, size, color, outer surface fabric, and fill material. This solution is also user-specific, as it is implausible for the same set of pillows to be used by others in a satisfactory manner. What is needed is an adjustable pillow that enables a single pillow to satisfy multiple user preferences and applications. What is further needed is an adjustable pillow that provides its user a measure of its firmness or softness to allow the user or multiple users to determine and repeat preferred adjustments across a number of applications.

Some prior art pillows have attempted to provide adjustable firmness. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,511 discloses an adjustable pillow that includes a plurality of lightweight, resilient, solid, expanded thermoplastic spheres substantially filling its enclosure. With this particular filler material, the pillow incorporates a draw cord extending through the enclosure and a locking means utilized with the draw cord for retaining a specific shape. This patent does not, however, teach an apparatus configured for use with a wide variety of filler materials. Nor does it teach a means of measuring the firmness or softness of the pillow to allow the user or multiple users to determine and repeat preferred adjustments across a number of applications.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,138 discloses an adjustable pillow with circular cover panels forming its exterior. It also teaches a sleeve with a hollow interior disposed in a loop on one of the cover panels with an opening for the threading of a drawstring through the loop. The pillow may then be adjusted for firmness by pulling both ends of the drawstring away from the pillow and tying them together. This patent does not, however, teach an apparatus configured for use with a variety of conventional pillow shapes. Nor does it teach a means of measuring the firmness or softness of the pillow to allow the user or multiple users to determine and repeat preferred adjustments across a number of applications.

The invention disclosed herein eliminates these problems by enabling a user or multiple users to adjust the firmness or softness of a pillow—across a wide variety of pillow shapes and fill materials—in a simple and straightforward fashion. This adjustability feature enables a user to use the same pillow for multiple applications requiring different levels of firmness or softness. It also enables the pillow to satisfy a broad range of firmness or softness preferences, ensuring that it will perform in a satisfactory manner, no matter the preferences of the user. It also enables multiple users to use the same pillow in a manner satisfactory to their unique, subjective preferences. Finally, it provides a means to inform each of its users about its current firmness or softness level, thereby enabling each user to determine his or her preferences for multiple applications and to repeat them.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An adjustable pillow according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an outer wall, an interior cavity having a volume defined by the outer wall, a composition of fill material dispersed about and contained within the interior cavity, and a drawstring for adjusting and fixing the volume of the interior cavity. The drawstring further comprises a base end, a distal end, an interior portion, an exterior portion, and a cinching mechanism. The base end of the drawstring is rigidly affixed to a first portion of the outer wall of the pillow. In one embodiment, this affixation is accomplished by sewing the base end into the first portion of the outer wall. The interior portion of the drawstring then runs from the base end through the interior cavity of the pillow and to a second portion of the outer wall generally disposed opposite to the first portion. The second portion of the outer wall further comprises a small hole of a diameter sufficient to allow the drawstring to pass through, such that the exterior portion and distal end of the drawstring are positioned outside of the interior cavity of the pillow. The hole thereby divides the drawstring into its interior and exterior portions. The cinching mechanism is adjustably affixed to the exterior portion of the drawstring and sized so that it cannot pass through the hole and into the interior cavity of the pillow.

A user can manipulate the volume of the interior cavity of the pillow by altering the position of the cinching mechanism along the drawstring. By moving the cinching mechanism toward the base end of the drawstring, the interior cavity is constricted and its volume decreases, resulting in a firmer pillow. Conversely, by moving the cinching mechanism toward the distal end of the drawstring, the interior cavity expands and its volume increases, resulting in a softer pillow. This adjustability feature may be applied to a variety of pillow shapes and sizes and works in conjunction with a variety of fill materials, including, but not limited to, feathers, cotton, rubber, foam, or polyester. It enables a user to use the same pillow for multiple applications requiring different levels of firmness or softness. It also enables the pillow to satisfy a broad range of firmness or softness preferences, ensuring that it will perform in a satisfactory manner, no matter the preferences of the user. It also enables multiple users to use the same pillow in a manner satisfactory to their unique, subjective preferences.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention taught herein, the drawstring further comprises a plurality of notations that provide the user with an indication of the firmness of the pillow at various positions of the cinching mechanism along the drawstring. These notations may take the form of a numerical range to inform the user about the firmness of the pillow at various positions of the cinching mechanism along the drawstring, a lower end of the range (like one (1), for example) being closer to the distal end of the drawstring and an upper end of the range (like ten (10), for example) being closer to the base end of the drawstring. Alternatively, these notations may take the form of words describing the firmness of the pillow at various positions of the cinching mechanism along the drawstring, such as “SOFT,” “MEDIUM” or “MED,” “FIRM,” and “EXTRA FIRM” or “XFIRM,” with “SOFT” being closer to the distal end of the drawstring and “XFIRM” being closer to the base end of the drawstring. These notations may also take any other form that reasonably conveys to the user the relative firmness of the pillow based on the positioning of the cinching mechanism along the drawstring, including, but not limited to, numerical ranges, text, coloring schemes, or combinations thereof. The adjustable pillow of the present disclosure thereby informs its user about its firmness or softness, thereby enabling the user to determine his or her preferences for multiple applications and to repeat them, or enabling multiple users to use the same pillow in a satisfactory manner.

It is an advantage of the present disclosure that the adjustable pillow enables a user to use the same pillow for multiple applications requiring different levels of firmness or softness. It is a further advantage of the present disclosure that the adjustable pillow satisfies a broad range of firmness or softness preferences, ensuring that it will perform in a satisfactory manner, no matter the preferences of the user. It is yet another advantage of the present disclosure that it enables multiple users to use the same pillow in a manner satisfactory to their unique, subjective preferences. It is a further advantage of the present disclosure that it provides a means to inform each of its users about its firmness, thereby enabling each user to determine his or her preferences for multiple applications and to repeat them.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

These and other embodiments of the present invention will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional pillow.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adjustable pillow according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the adjustable pillow of FIG. 2 depicting the pillow at a stage of adjustment between “SOFT” and “MEDIUM.”

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an adjustable pillow according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the adjustable pillow of FIG. 4 depicting the pillow at a stage of adjustment between “MEDIUM” and “FIRM.”

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an adjustable pillow according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the adjustable pillow of FIG. 6 depicting the pillow at a stage of adjustment between “FIRM” and “XFIRM.”

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the adjustable pillow of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of an adjustable pillow according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure depicting a drawstring with a plurality of numerical notations for measuring the firmness of the pillow.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cinching mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional pillow 100 comprises an enclosed volume (not pictured) with an outer surface 110 defined by a fabric. Cushioning materials (not pictured) are dispersed about and contained within the enclosed volume. The amount and type of cushioning materials included within the enclosure along with the volume of the enclosure determine the firmness or softness of the pillow. The firmness or softness of the pillow, in turn, directly impacts its performance in various applications.

Referring to FIGS. 2-7, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure 200 comprises an outer wall 210, an interior cavity (not depicted) having a volume defined by the outer wall 210, a composition of fill material (not depicted) dispersed about and contained within the interior cavity, and a drawstring 230 for fixing and adjusting the volume of the interior cavity. The fill material may include, for example and without limitation, feathers, cotton, rubber, foam, polyester, or any combination thereof, or any other fill material customarily used as a cushioning material in pillows.

The drawstring 230 further comprises a base end (not shown), a distal end 234, an interior portion (not shown), an exterior portion 238, and a cinching mechanism 240. The base end of the drawstring 230 is rigidly affixed to a first portion 211 of the outer wall 210 of the adjustable pillow 200. The interior portion of the drawstring 230 runs from the base end through the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow 200 and to a second portion 212 of the outer wall 210 generally disposed opposite to the first portion 211. The second portion 212 further comprises a hole 213 of a size sufficient to allow the drawstring 230 to pass through, such that the exterior portion 238 and distal end 234 of the drawstring 230 are positioned outside of the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow 200. The hole 213 thereby divides the drawstring 230 into its interior and exterior portions. The cinching mechanism 240 is adjustably affixed to the exterior portion 238 of the drawstring 230 and sized so that it cannot pass through the hole 213 and into the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow 200.

A user can manipulate the volume of the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow 200 by altering the position of the cinching mechanism 240 along the drawstring 230. By moving the cinching mechanism 240 toward the base end (not shown) of the drawstring 230, the interior cavity is constricted and its volume decreases, resulting in a firmer adjustable pillow 200. Conversely, by moving the cinching mechanism 240 toward the distal end 234 of the drawstring 230, the interior cavity expands and its volume increases, resulting is a softer adjustable pillow 200. This adjustability feature enables a user to use the adjustable pillow for multiple applications requiring different levels of firmness or softness. It also enables the adjustable pillow to satisfy a broad range of firmness or softness preferences, ensuring that it will perform in a satisfactory manner, no matter the preferences of the user. It also enables multiple users to use the same adjustable pillow in a manner satisfactory to their unique, subjective preferences.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2-3, an adjustable pillow 200 is depicted with a drawstring 230 having a plurality of notations 260 to provide an indication of the firmness of the adjustable pillow 200 at various positions of the cinching mechanism 240 along the drawstring 230. The plurality of notations 260 may take the form of words describing the firmness of the adjustable pillow 200 at various positions of the cinching mechanism 240 along the drawstring 230. Such words may include, by way of example, “SOFT,” “MEDIUM” (or “MED.”), “FIRM,” and “EXTRA FIRM” (or “XFIRM”), with “SOFT” being closer to the distal end 234 of the drawstring 230 (at a point where the drawstring 230 and the cinching mechanism 240 have a minimal effect on the volume of the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow 200), and “XFIRM” being closer to the base end of the drawstring 230 (at a point where the drawstring 230 and the cinching mechanism 240 have a maximum effect on the volume of the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow 200). Any number of other notations may be used, including, but not limited to, numbers, letters, symbols, or colors, it being understood that there are a variety of ways to indicate the firmness of the adjustable pillow 200 to a user through a plurality of notations on the drawstring 230.

In FIGS. 2-3, the cinching mechanism 240 is positioned near the notation “SOFT” 261, indicating that the drawstring 230 and the cinching mechanism 240 are having a minimal effect on the volume of the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow 200. Referring specifically to FIGS. 4-5, the cinching mechanism 240 is positioned further away from the distal end 234 of the drawstring 230 as compared to FIGS. 2-3, and closer to the base end—near the notation “MEDIUM” 262—indicating that the drawstring 230 and the cinching mechanism 240 have decreased the volume of the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow 200, thereby rendering the adjustable pillow 200 firmer. Referring specifically to FIGS. 6-7, the cinching mechanism 240 is positioned near the base end (not shown) of the drawstring 230, past the notation “FIRM” 263, near the notation “XFIRM” 264, indicating that the drawstring 230 and the cinching mechanism 240 are having a maximum effect on the volume of the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow 200, thereby further decreasing the volume of the interior cavity and rendering the adjustable pillow 200 firmer.

Referring specifically to FIG. 8, the base end 232 of the drawstring is rigidly affixed to the first portion 211 of the outer wall 210 of the adjustable pillow 200. The drawstring then runs through the interior cavity (not shown) of the adjustable pillow 200 and through the outer wall 210 at the hole (not shown) in the second portion (not shown) of the outer wall 210.

Referring specifically to FIG. 9, a drawstring 230 having a plurality of numerical notations 265 to provide an indication of the firmness of the adjustable pillow at various positions of the cinching mechanism 240 along the drawstring 230 is depicted. The plurality of numerical notations 265 take the form of a numerical range to inform a user about the firmness of the adjustable pillow at various positions of the cinching mechanism 240 along the drawstring 230, a lower end of the range (one (1)) being closer to the distal end (not shown) of the drawstring 230 (at a point where the drawstring 230 and the cinching mechanism 240 have a minimal effect on the volume of the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow) and an upper end of the range (ten (10)) being closer to the base end (not shown) of the drawstring 230 (at a point where the drawstring 230 and the cinching mechanism 240 have a maximum effect on the volume of the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow). In FIG. 9, the cinching mechanism 240 is positioned past the notation “10,” indicating that the drawstring 230 and the cinching mechanism 240 are having a maximum effect on the volume of the interior cavity of the adjustable pillow.

The cinching mechanism may take the form of a variety of mechanisms well known in the art capable of adjustably affixing to a string or rope to hold a desired position. Referring specifically to FIG. 10, an exemplary cinching mechanism 240 is depicted. It comprises an upper portion 241 and a lower portion 242, the lower portion 242 being sized to receive the upper portion 241 and to allow the upper portion 241 to move relative to an axis Y. Both the upper portion 241 and the lower portion 242 further comprise frontward faces 243, 244 and rearward faces, 245, 246, which in turn have openings 247, 248, 249, 250 for receiving a drawstring (not pictured) and allowing it to pass through. The cinching mechanism 240 is actuated by a spring 251 that is compressed beyond its normal state such that it presses the upper portion 241 and the lower portion 242 of the cinching mechanism 240 apart along the axis Y, thereby affixing the cinching mechanism 240 to the drawstring. When a compression force is applied to the upper portion 241 and the lower portion 242, such as when a user presses them together, the spring 251 depresses further, allowing the openings 247, 248, 249, 250 to align, thereby permitting the cinching mechanism 240 to move along the drawstring. Once the cinching mechanism 240 is located in a desired position along the drawstring, the compression force may be removed, allowing the spring 251 to expand, which in turn presses the upper portion 241 away from the lower portion 242 and locks the cinching mechanism 240 in place on the drawstring. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable pillow comprising: an outer wall, an interior cavity having an adjustable volume defined by the outer wall, a composition of fill material dispersed within the interior cavity, a drawstring for adjusting and setting the volume of the interior cavity, and an adjustable firmness dependent upon the volume, the drawstring further comprising a base end rigidly affixed to a first portion of the outer wall, an interior portion housed within the interior cavity and spanning from the base end to a second portion of the outer wall having a hole, a distal end outside of the interior cavity, an exterior portion spanning from the hole to the distal end, such that the drawstring passes through the hole, and a cinching mechanism adjustably affixed to the exterior portion, wherein the firmness is adjusted by moving the cinching mechanism along the drawstring.
 2. The adjustable pillow of claim 1, wherein the drawstring further comprises a plurality of notations for measuring the firmness.
 3. The adjustable pillow of claim 2, wherein the plurality of notations comprises numbers, letters, symbols, colors, or a combination thereof.
 4. The adjustable pillow of claim 3, wherein the plurality of notations comprises a numerical scale ranging from 1 to
 10. 5. The adjustable pillow of claim 3, wherein the plurality of notations comprises a group of words including SOFT, MEDIUM or MED., FIRM, and EXTRA FIRM or XFIRM.
 6. The adjustable pillow of claim 1, wherein the composition of fill material comprises feathers, cotton, rubber, foam, polyester, or a combination thereof.
 7. An adjustable pillow comprising: an outer wall, an interior cavity having an adjustable volume defined by the outer wall, a composition of fill material dispersed within the interior cavity, a drawstring for adjusting and setting the volume of the interior cavity, and an adjustable firmness dependent upon the volume, the drawstring further comprising a base end rigidly affixed to a first portion of the outer wall, an interior portion housed within the interior cavity and spanning from the base end to a second portion of the outer wall having a hole, a distal end outside of the interior cavity, an exterior portion spanning from the hole to the distal end, such that the drawstring passes through the hole, a cinching mechanism adjustably affixed to the exterior portion, and a plurality of notations for measuring the firmness, wherein the firmness is adjusted by moving the cinching mechanism along the drawstring.
 8. The adjustable pillow of claim 7, wherein the plurality of notations comprises numbers, letters, symbols, colors, or a combination thereof.
 9. The adjustable pillow of claim 8, wherein the plurality of notations comprises a numerical scale ranging from 1 to
 10. 10. The adjustable pillow of claim 8, wherein the plurality of notations comprises a group of words including SOFT, MEDIUM or MED., FIRM, and EXTRA FIRM or XFIRM.
 11. The adjustable pillow of claim 7, wherein the composition of fill material comprises feathers, cotton, rubber, foam, polyester, or a combination thereof. 